Situations when it is necessary to completely turn off the power to household appliances arise for every owner. This could be a routine spring cleaning, moving to a new apartment, or the need for preventative maintenance. Equipment owners Indesit often wonder if there are any hidden algorithms or special requirements for the procedure for turning off their units. In fact, the process is physically simple, but ignoring some nuances can lead to compressor breakdown or the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
Before you decide to pull the cord from the socket, it is important to understand what exactly is happening inside the chamber when the engine stops. Refrigeration circuit is under pressure, and the oil in the compressor should remain in the crankcase and not drain into the system. Incorrect operation may upset the refrigerant balance. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages, from the preliminary preparation of products to the moment of restarting, so that your equipment will serve for many years without failures.
Preparation for shutdown: products and shelves
The first stage is always freeing up the internal space. If you plan to leave the appliance turned off for more than 4-5 hours, all perishable food must be removed. Otherwise, irreversible bacterial growth processes will begin inside, and it will be extremely difficult to remove the smell. Indesit with a system No Frost or drip defrosting, the cold quickly loses after stopping the motor.
In parallel with the food, you should remove all removable interior elements. It is better to wash glass shelves, plastic containers for vegetables, trays for eggs and shelves on the door separately in the sink. This will not only make it easier to access the inner walls for cleaning, but will also prevent accidental damage to the glass due to careless movement while washing the chamber.
Pay special attention to food packaging. If you simply turn off the equipment at night or during a short absence, the products can be transferred to a thermal bag with cold accumulators. However, for long periods of inactivity, the chamber must be completely empty and dry.
Procedure for disconnecting from the power supply
Many users make the mistake of believing that it is enough to simply turn the temperature regulator to the “0” or “Off” position. Although this action stops the compressor from running, it does not guarantee complete safety when working inside or during transportation. To completely turn off the power, you must physically break the power circuit.
Locate the electrical cord that usually comes out of the rear bottom of the case. Carefully remove the plug from the socket. If the outlet is located in a hard-to-reach place (for example, behind the refrigerator itself), use an extension cord or temporarily move the unit, being careful not to damage the floor covering. Electrical safety is priority number one.
⚠️ Attention: Never pull on the cord itself to Unplug the appliance if the plug is firmly seated in the socket. Always grasp only the body of the plug so as not to damage the contacts and cable insulation.
If you plan to wash the floor under the equipment or carry out repair work, it is recommended to additionally turn off the circuit breaker in the panel if the socket does not have easy access. After removing the plug, make sure that the indicators on the control panel (if they exist and are powered by residual current or batteries) go off.
The process of defrosting and removing moisture
After the equipment is disconnected from the network, the most important stage begins - defrosting. Even if you have a model with No Frost, moisture from food and air condenses on the walls. For models with a drip system, this process is critical: the ice coat on the evaporator must completely melt.
Open the doors of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. Leave them in this position for at least 10-12 hours, and preferably for a day. Accelerate the thawing process using hair dryers, heaters or sharp objects strictly prohibited. Mechanical damage to the evaporator tubes will lead to freon leakage and costly repairs.
☑️ Preparation for defrosting
Put absorbent rags under the bottom drawers and on the bottom of the chamber or place flat containers to collect melting water. Models Indesit often have a special chute for draining condensate, but it may not cope with a large volume of melting ice. Change blotters regularly to prevent water from flowing under the body.
After the ice has completely disappeared, wipe all surfaces dry with a soft cloth. You can use a weak soda solution or a special refrigerator cleaner. The main thing is to remove all moisture, since dampness is an ideal environment for mold.
Transportation and movement of the unit
If the purpose of shutdown is moving, then the process must be approached with special care. A refrigerator Indesit is a complex mechanism that is sensitive to tilting and shaking. Before moving, make sure that the compressor oil has flowed into the crankcase. To do this, after defrosting, let the equipment stand in an upright position for several more hours.
When transporting, the unit must be secured in the car body so that it cannot move. The doors should be secured with masking tape or rope to prevent them from opening during travel and damaging the hinges. You can tilt the refrigerator during transportation, but the angle should not exceed 40 degrees.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Critical value |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt angle | 0 degrees (vertical) | More than 40 degrees |
| Standing time before switching on | 4-8 hours | Less than 2 hours |
| Temperature during transportation | Above -5°C | Below -10°C |
If transportation was carried out in a horizontal position or with a strong inclination, the standing time before the first start should be increased to 12-24 hours. This is necessary so that the oil that has entered the circuit completely flows back into the compressor.
Errors when restarting
The most common mistake is trying to turn on the refrigerator immediately after it was brought indoors from the street in winter or after transportation. If the equipment is frozen, the plastic becomes brittle and the oil in the compressor thickens. Starting in this condition may lead to jamming of the piston group.
Allow the unit to warm up to room temperature. This applies not only to oil, but also to electronics. Condensation formed on the control board due to temperature changes should completely evaporate. Usually, 2-4 hours in a warm room are enough for this.
⚠️ Attention: Do not plug in the device if you smell a strong smell of gas or chemicals. This may indicate depressurization of the circuit during transportation. In this case, you need to call a specialist.
After switching on, do not immediately fill the chamber with food. Let the refrigerator Indesit run idle for 1-2 hours so that it reaches operating temperature. Only after this can you load products. This will reduce the load on compressor during the first hours of operation.
Long-term preservation
If you leave the apartment for a long time (a month or more), simply turning off the equipment is not enough. Mold and rodents may grow inside. After thorough washing and drying, the doors should not be left closed.
Use small spacers or special clamps to keep the doors open 1-2 cm. This will ensure air circulation and prevent the appearance of a musty smell. The rubber seal also needs care: wipe it with glycerin to prevent it from drying out.
What to do with the seal?
If you leave the refrigerator for storage, be sure to treat the rubber door seal with silicone grease or glycerin. This will prevent the appearance of microcracks and maintain the elasticity of the rubber, ensuring a tight fit after a long period of inactivity.
The place where the equipment is located should be dry and protected from direct sunlight. Dust can be covered with a cloth, but do not use thick plastic film, which will create a greenhouse effect.
Diagnosing faults before turning off
Often users want to turn off the refrigerator because it has stopped freezing or has begun to behave strangely. Before removing the device, it is worth conducting initial diagnostics. Perhaps the problem can be solved by simply adjusting the thermostat or replacing the light bulb that heats the chamber.
Pay attention to the operation of the motor. If it hums but does not start, or, conversely, works non-stop, these are signs of a malfunction. In models Indesit with electronic control malfunction may be indicated by flashing temperature indicators.
Write down the flashing pattern or error codes before turning off. This information will be extremely useful to the technician during diagnosis. Do not try to disassemble the back panel with the compressor yourself if you do not have skills in working with electricity and refrigerants.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long can you not turn on the Indesit refrigerator after defrosting?
The minimum waiting time is 2 hours, but the optimal period is considered to be 2 hours 4-6 hours. This ensures that the refrigerant and oil are distributed correctly throughout the system, and the compressor starts without unnecessary load.
Is it possible to turn off the Indesit refrigerator at night to save money?
It is strictly not recommended to do this regularly. Cycling on and off leads to rapid wear of the compressor and spoilage of food. Modern models already consume a little energy in the temperature maintenance mode.
What to do if, after turning on, the refrigerator does not freeze?
Check whether the doors are tightly closed and whether the temperature regulator is set correctly. If the cold does not appear within 3-4 hours, and the engine is running, there may be a freon leak or a thermostat failure. A specialist call is required.
Is it necessary to wash the inside of the refrigerator after each shutdown?
If the shutdown was short-term (less than 4 hours) and the temperature inside did not rise above +5°C, a general wash is not necessary. It is enough to check the products for freshness. During long periods of inactivity, washing is required.